The Cleaner
I have polished my boots.
They are so clean, I can see
how dull my eyes are.
I have polished my eyes.
They are so clean, I can sense
how tense my mouth is.
I have polished my mouth.
It closes cleanly on a transparent
cargo of words.
I have polished my words.
They are so clean, they fill
my heart's spent ventricles.
I have polished my heart.
My heart is so clean. It is
in my boots.
[September 2001]